Classy mare Snitzerland is set to begin what is expected to be a brief 2013 Spring Racing Carnival campaign in the McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on September 14.

Snitzerland is chasing her first Group 1 victory during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival. Photo by: Steve Hart

Trainer Gerald Ryan and the mares’ owners have selected the Group 2 McEwen, Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1000m), Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) and the Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) as the races they would like to win with the daughter of Snitzel but Ryan said she will likely only have two starts this spring.

“Once again she will probably do most of her racing in Melbourne,” Ryan told Racing Ahead.

“This season there are four races on the agenda in the spring but she will not run in all four of them.

“I am tipping she will run in the McEwen and then the Manikato on Cox Plate eve.

“She won’t have a big season.”

Snitzerland is yet to win a Group 1 event, after finishing second in the 2012 Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) and the 2013 Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m), and Ryan admitted that recording a win at Group 1 level was the major goal for the speedy mare.

“We just want to get a Group 1 against her name and we will see what we do after that,” Ryan said.

Ryan said that Snitzerland is still a month away from contesting a barrier trial, ahead of her first race appearance in September, but the Rosehill-based trainer said he was happy with how she was progressing at this stage of her preparation.

“She is coming up really well,” Ryan said.

“She looks good, she is heavier and stronger.”

Ryan is chasing just his third Group 1 victory in Victoria after previously winning the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) with Snitzel in 2006 and Mrs Onassis earlier this year.